REDLANDS, Calif. — The Southern Vermont College baseball finished up its play in the California Invitational with two losses to Redlands, losing 8-6 and 18-1 in their doubleheader on Saturday.

SVC grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one, only to see Redlands comeback to score two runs in fourth, fifth and sixth innings to grab a 6-2 lead.

The Bulldogs scored a run in both the seventh and eighth innings to counter the Mountaineers' four-run rally to seal up their first win of the day.

In game two, the Mountaineers again drew first blood and the Bulldogs again answered, scoring six runs in both the first and second innings to grab a 12-1 lead.

Redlands went on to score a run or more in each inning the rest of the way to clam the doubleheader sweep.

Sophomore Zack Stacey went a combined four-of-seven at the plate with an RBI and three-runs scored for SVC in the two games.

With two hits in each game, Stacey extends his hitting streak to eight games. Overall, Stacey batted .407 with seven RBI and eight runs scored in the tournament for the Mountaineers.

Freshman Noah DuBois had two RBI on the day for SVC, while senior teammate Anthony Mercuri knocked in a run as well.

With the two losses, SVC drops to 2-10 on the season.

The Mountaineers will next travel to play Eastern Nazarene on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Tough sledding to begin the season for SVC

HARRISONBURH, VA. — In its long anticipated season opener on Saturday, the Southern Vermont College softball team dropped both its contests to Eastern Mennonite, losing 23-0 and 23-2 to the Royals.

Royals' starter Alexa Sheets held the Mountaineers to two hits in four innings pitched, while the Eastern Mennonite offense struck for five runs in the first inning, eight runs in the third inning and topped the game off with 10 runs in the fourth inning to earns its first win of the day.

The Mountaineers scored their first run of the day to grab a 1-0 lead in the first inning game two, but Eastern Mennonite quickly jumped ahead of SVC with eight runs scored in the bottom half of the inning.

Eastern Mennonite went on two score 13 runs in the second inning and then a run in the third to seal up its doubleheader sweep of the Mountaineers.

Sophomore Nichole Matthews and freshman Sarah Billow each had a hit and an RBI for SVC in the loss.

SVC will next travel to play a doubleheader against Skidmore on Thursday.

No luck for SVC against NECC foes

CHICOPEE, Mass. — The Southern Vermont College men's volleyball team lost both its New England Collegiate Conference matchups to Elms and Eastern Nazarene on Saturday, losing both contests 3-0.

In its match against Elms, SVC fell in the first set 25-10 and then lost the last two sets to the Blazers 25-12 and 25-17.

Eastern Nazarene rolled past the Mountaineers in the first set of the two's match 25-5, then held on to beat SVC 25-20 in the second set and picked up the match win in the third set with a 25-12 victory.

Freshman Te Hayward tallied a total of nine kills for SVC on the day.

Freshman Chris Jimenez had 17 digs in the tri-match for the Mountaineers, while teammate Bryan Bernal totaled 17 assists.

With the two losses, SVC drops to 3-18 on the season and 1-6 in conference play.

The Mountaineers will next play host to Newbury on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Masters mini meet coming up

BENNINGTON — The sixth annual Monumental Masters Mini Meet will be held in Saturday, March 25, at the Bennington Recreation Center. Adults over the age of 18 are encouraged to participate in the meet. No prior competition experience is required.

Warm-ups start at 9 a.m., with the meet's first event beginning at 10 a.m. Pre-registration to compete in the event is $20 per swimmer by March 21, or $25 on the day of the event. Registration forms are available at the Bennington Rec Center.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bennington Marauders Swim Team, helping to provide youth swimming for our community.

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/3BtU5U, or email us at mike@usms.org.

Basketball Challenge in Arlington

ARLINGTON — It will be a fun night of basketball in Arlington as alumni battle current varsity players, and faculty and staff battle each other during this year's Basketball Challenge on Friday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. in the Arlington Memorial High School gymnasium. Hosted by the AMHS Athletic Department, the night will also include a basketball game featuring area Special Olympic athletes and Arlington basketball players. Tickets are $2 for general admission. Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for the AMHS weight room and to cover fees for the annual student-athlete leadership conference. For more information or to make a donation to AMHS Athletics, contact Arlington Athletic Director Ashley Hoyt at hoytas@vbvsu.org or 375.2589, extension 137.

Bennington Little League

BENNINGTON — Late registration and player evaluations for the 2017 season will be held on March 19 from 12-3 p.m. at the Mount Anthony Union High School gymnasium. All players ages 9 and up should plan to attend one of the two dates for evaluations unless already on a major league team. Late registrations will also be taken at this time for any players ages 5 through 12. For all new registrants, a copy of the birth certificate is requested at the time of registration. Questions about registration or evaluations, please contact Geoff Metcalfe at 442-5465.

Shires Marathon registration

BENNINGTON — Spring is just around the corner in southern Vermont and if you're a runner, you still have time to get in shape for the 6th running of the Shires Marathon. Registration is available on line at http://www.lightboxreg.com/shires-of-vermont-marathon-2017 and more race details can be found on the website of the Batten Kill Valley Runners Club (bkvr.net/shires-of-vermont-marathon.

The Shires race, which will be on May 21 this year, starts at Bennington College and ends 26.2 miles later at Riley Rink, Manchester's Olympic sized ice skating facility. Its course, which follows secondary roads, includes 8.5 unpaved miles in Shaftsbury and Arlington. Apple and lilac trees in full fragrant spring bloom will shade many of the roads the race travels.

This year, the beneficiary of the Shires Marathon will be The Collaborative, a community agency that provides quality alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention education throughout the Northshire and its nearby mountain town communities. Through its activities and youth programs such as empowerment groups for high school students; afterschool child care at Flood Brook School; and the Refuse To Use program, The Collaborative is dedicated to providing youth with positive reinforcement that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Sign up to run the Shires of Vermont Marathon and you'll have the added satisfaction of knowing that your entry fee will be making a difference in the lives of many others.

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